Parents do not neglect your child’s poor vision as it may affect their learning process, according to scientists who found that children who had poor vision had lower academic grades.

Poor vision in children may affect their academic performance, says study

New Delhi :

Parents do not neglect your child’s poor vision as it may affect their learning process, according to scientists who found that children who had poor vision had lower academic grades.

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia found that 30 per cent of students tested had uncorrected eye problems that could affect their academic performances.

Children who were referred for further optometric examination scored lower in reading, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation tests.

“Children’s eyes need to be tested early in primary school and throughout schooling to ensure they can fully engage with the visual aspects of classroom learning,” said Sonia White, senior research fellow at QUT.

Vision screening and assessment was currently not a mandation prior to children starting school, which may mean that some children will suffer vision and visual processing problems that do not come into notice of parents and teachers, according to White.

Along with vision test, near vision learning tasks were also completed by children. The tasks included reading and mathematics, while eye tracking was used to examine specific visual processing behaviours underlying these activities.

“The aim is to level the playing field in terms of vision and provide every opportunity for learning and academic achievement for children in school and later life,” said Joanne Wood, from QUT.